Footswitch operable to control a surgical system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a surgical footswitch that includes a base, a pedal, an encoder assembly, a wireless interface, and an internal power generator. The pedal mounts upon the base and pivots. The encoder assembly couples to the pedal. As the pedal pivots, the encoder assembly translates the mechanical signal of the pedal into a control signal based on the pedals position and/or orientation. The wireless interface couples the encoder assembly to receive the control signal. The wireless interface also couples the surgical footswitch to a surgical console operable to control and direct surgical equipment. The wireless interface passes the control signal from the encoder to the surgical console, which then directs the surgical equipment based on the control signal. This wireless interface eliminates the tangle of wires or tethers, which may be a hazard in the surgical theater. The internal power generator translates footswitch movement into stored energy to eliminate potential failures of the footswitch during a procedure and overcome the need to replace batteries within the footswitch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/667,290, filed Mar. 31, 2005, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thisapplication is also a divisional application of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/389,808 filed Mar. 27, 2006 now U.S.Pat. No. 7,781,941, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods forcontrolling a surgical system, and more particularly, to a surgicalfootswitch operable to securely, reliably, and wirelessly control acomplex surgical system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the use of a complex patient treatment apparatus or surgicalsystem, for example, surgical equipment used when performing ophthalmicsurgery, the control of a variety of different subsystems, such aspneumatic and electronically driven subsystems may be required.Typically, the operation of the subsystems is controlled by amicroprocessor-driven console. The microprocessor controls within asurgical console receive mechanical inputs from either the operator ofthe surgical system or from an assistant. A control input device, suchas a footswitch, is often used to accept mechanical inputs. Thesemechanical inputs originate from the movement of the foot of an operatorto govern the operation of a subsystem within the patient treatmentapparatus. The mechanical inputs from the movement of the foot of theoperator are translated into electrical signals which are fed to themicroprocessor controls. The electrical signals are then used to controlthe operational characteristics of a subsystem in a complex patienttreatment apparatus.

Examples of footswitches that are designed for receiving mechanicalinputs from the movement of the foot of an operator of a complex patienttreatment apparatus may be found in several U.S. patents, including U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,837,857 (Scheller, et al.), 4,965,417 (Massie), 4,983,901(Lehmer), 5,091,656 (Gahn), 5,268,624 (Zanger), 5,554,894 (Sepielli),5,580,347 5 (Reimels), 5,635,777 (Telymonde, et al), 5,787,760(Thorlakson), 5,983,749 (Holtorf), and 6,179,829 B1 (Bisch, et al), andin International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 98/08442 (Bisch,et al.), WO 00/12037 (Chen), and WO 02/01310 (Chen). These patents andpatent applications focus primarily on footswitches that include a footpedal or tillable treadle similar to the accelerator pedal used togovern the speed of an automobile. The movement of the foot pedal ortillable treadle typically provides a linear control input. Such linearcontrol inputs may be used, for example, for regulating vacuum,rotational speed, power, or reciprocal motion.

In more complex footswitch assemblies, side or wing switches may beadded to housings on either side of the foot pedal in order to provideadditional capabilities to the footswitch. The condition of these sideor wing switches is changed by the application of pressure from thefront portion of the operator's foot or from the rear portion of theoperator's foot.

As these footswitches become more complex, the need to establish securereliable communications between the footswitch and the surgical consolehas resulted in a number of wired pathways that connect the footswitchand surgical console. As the footswitches are moved about the operatingroom, these tethers, wires and cables can become tangled with otherequipment. Accidentally disconnecting these cables can result inimproper control inputs that have the potential to injure a patient.Therefore a need exists for a reliable footswitch operable tocommunicate with the surgical system while avoiding the potentialhazardous or restrictive environment created by entangled cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a surgical footswitch used to controlsurgical equipment that substantial addresses the above-identified needsas well as others.

One embodiment provides a surgical footswitch having a base, a pedal, anencoder assembly, and a wireless interface. The pedal mounts upon thebase and pivots. The encoder assembly couples to the pedal. As the pedalpivots, the encoder assembly translates the mechanical signal of thepedal into a control signal based on the pedal's position and/ororientation. The wireless interface couples the encoder assembly toreceive the control signal. The wireless interface also couples thesurgical footswitch to a surgical console operable to control and directsurgical equipment. The wireless interface passes the control signalfrom the encoder to the surgical console, which then directs thesurgical equipment based on the control signal. This wireless interfaceeliminates the tangle of wires or tethers, which may be a hazard in thesurgical theater.

Another embodiment further includes an internal power generator operableto translate footswitch movement into stored energy. This may eliminatea potential failure of the footswitch during a procedure and overcomethe need to replace batteries within the footswitch as the surgicalfootswitch can generate its own power. There are many different ways toderive power from the movement of the surgical footswitch. These includebut should not be limited to the piezoelectric effect, inductive powergeneration, compressing and storing air, mechanical flywheels or otherlike means known to those having skill in the art.

Another embodiment provides a surgical footswitch having a base, apedal, an encoder, a motion detector, and a wireless interface. Thisembodiment extends the capability of existing surgical footswitcheswherein the motion detector assembly may be worn by a user and transmitmotion information to the surgical footswitch. The encoder assembly maygenerate additional control signals based on the received motioninformation. The motion detector may generate motion information basedon relative positioning information, on an acceleration sensor used todetermine the motion detector assembly's position through integration,on radio triangulation or on other like methods known to those havingskill in the art.

Yet another embodiment provides a dual switch surgical footswitchoperable to ramp and fire a surgical laser. This dual switch surgicalfootswitch includes a base, pedal, first switch, second switch, encoderassembly, and interface. The pedal is mounted to the base and operableto pivot about a plane associated with the base. The first switchcouples to the pedal and is activated as the pedal orients past thefirst predetermined point when the pedal is initially depressed. Whenthe first switch is activated a first control signal initializes thelaser within the surgical system. The second switch also operablycouples to the pedal and is activated when the pedal orients past asecond predetermined point such as reaching the bottom of the range ofmotion. This second control signal directs the firing of the rampedlaser. The trigger time between the activation of the first switch andthe second switch allows stress on the laser to be relieved by allowingthe laser to be ramped to power.

An encoder assembly coupled to the pedal may be operable to produce athird control signal based on the pedal's position and for orientation.The interface couples to the encoder and establishes a communicationpath between the surgical footswitch and the surgical console. Thissurgical console is operable to control or direct the surgical equipmentbased on the control signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a footswitch assembly in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 provides a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a footswitchassembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 provides a functional diagram that illustrates how the footswitchwirelessly couples to a surgical system in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a footswitch assembly in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a footswitch in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention having extended capabilities;

FIG. 6 provides a functional diagram of another embodiment of a surgicalfootswitch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 7 provides a logic flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod of controlling surgical equipment in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in theFIGs., like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding partsof the various drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a footswitch assembly 10. The surgicalfootswitch assembly 10 includes a body or housing that further includesbottom housing 12 and top housing 14, and a foot pedal or treadle 16,all of which can be made from any suitable material, such as stainlesssteel, titanium or plastic. Other embodiments may additionally include aseparate heel cup assembly 18 and a handle 4 positioned in the front.Side or wing switches 20 may be placed on the top of housing 14 oneither side of the foot pedal 16.

Attached to the foot pedal or tillable treadle 16 is an encoder assembly22 as illustrated in the cross section provided by FIG. 2. Encoderassembly 22 translates the angular or pitch position of the foot pedalor treadle 16, which is tillable with respect to a horizontal plane orto a neutral or home plane, from a mechanical input based on themovement of the operator's foot into an electrical signal. Thus, thepitch 15 movement of the foot pedal or tillable treadle 16, typically ina downward direction, provides a control input. The control input ispreferably a linear control input. However, when a variable high inputand a constant low input is satisfactory, the neutral or home plane mayprovide the constant low input, and depression of the foot pedal may beused for the variable high input.

FIG. 3 provides a functional diagram that illustrates how the footswitch10 wirelessly couples to a surgical system 26. Footswitch 10 contains amechanical input device such as pedal 16 that couples to encoderassembly 22 in order to produce a control signal that is provided towireless interface 24. Wireless interface 24 is operable to establish awireless communication pathway between footswitch 10 and surgical system26. Specifically, wireless interface 24 communicatively couples towireless interface 30 of surgical console 28. Thus, the controlsignal(s) produced by encoder assembly 22 are able to be communicated tosurgical console 28 via the wireless pathway. Surgical console 28 isoperable to direct surgical equipment 32 based on the control signal(s)that are wirelessly relayed from the footswitch to the surgical console.

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional embodiment of footswitch 10. Aspreviously stated, footswitch 10 includes a mechanical input device suchas pedal 16 that couples to encoder assembly 22 in order to provide acontrol signal to a surgical console 28 via a wireless communicationpathway established by wireless interface 24. The embodiment of FIG. 4further includes an internal power generator 34 operable to translatemovement of footswitch 10 into stored energy operable to be used topower and operate the encoder assembly 22, wireless interface 24, andother components within footswitch 10.

Internal power generator 34 may both generate and store energy withwhich to operate footswitch 10. This may eliminate potential failure ofthe footswitch 10 during a procedure and overcome the need to replacebatteries within the footswitch 10. There are many different ways toderive power from the movement of the surgical footswitch 10. Theseinclude, but should not be limited to, the piezoelectric effect,inductive power generation, the compression storage of compressed fluidssuch as air, mechanical flywheels, or other like means known to thosehaving skill in the art. For example, when the piezoelectric effect isused to generate and store electrical energy, the mechanical energyprovided by the operator to depress the pedal may compress apiezoelectric material that generates a voltage based on the mechanicalenergy exerted on the piezoelectric material. This electrical energy maythen be stored within a capacitor or rechargeable battery in order toprovide a power reserve within the footswitch. In another embodiment,the internal power generator may use inductive power generation whereinmovement of the footswitch produces results in relative motion betweenan internal magnet and series of coils in order to charge a capacitor orrechargeable battery. Energy may also be stored in the form ofmechanical energy wherein the pedal is used to spin a flywheel, which inessence is a mechanical battery. Flywheels store energy mechanically inthe form of kinetic energy. Alternatively, air or other fluids can becompressed and stored and then this compressed air may be used togenerate energy to power footswitch 10. These are just examples of howinternal power generator 34 may generate and store energy within thefootswitch.

A microprocessor or control circuit within the footswitch 10 may promptthe operator to charge the footswitch should the stored energy withininternal power generator 34 fall below a pre-determined level.Alternatively, the surgical console 28 may direct the operator to chargethe footswitch 10 should the stored energy fall below a pre-determinedlevel. An indicator, such as a green LED on the footswitch 10, couldindicate that the footswitch 10 is powered and ready for use.

The microprocessor or control circuit may be a single processing deviceor a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorycoupled to the microprocessor or control circuit may be a single memorydevice or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be aread-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory,and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when themicroprocessor or control circuit implements one or more of itsfunctions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry. The memory stores, and the microprocessor orcontrol circuit executes, operational instructions corresponding to atleast some of the steps and/or functions illustrated and described inassociation with FIG. 7.

The ability to power the footswitch 10 based on motion of the footswitch10 or the mechanical motion provided by the operator eliminates the needfor batteries, but more importantly it prompts the operator to rechargethe footswitch 10 prior to the power falling below a pre-determinedlevel. This helps to ensure conditions where communications between thefootswitch 10 and a surgical console 28 are interrupted by powerfailures in the footswitch 10 that can result in improper controlsignals that have the potential to injure a patient. Additionally,guidelines or processes may be established and implemented by themicroprocessor or control circuit such that should the wirelesscommunications between the footswitch 10 and surgical console 28 fail,the surgical equipment returns to a pre-determined position or mode ofoperation in order to prevent potential injury of a patient.

Returning to FIG. 1, footswitch assembly 10 may provide additionalproportional control inputs utilizing heel cup assembly 18 which enablean arcuate movement. As shown in the drawing FIGs., the heel cupassembly 18 is positioned at the rear portion of the footswitch 10 toengage the heel of the operator. The heel cup assembly 18 allows theoperator to rotate the heel cup assembly 18 through an arcuate pathwhile the operator's heel effectively remains in the same spot withrespect to the footswitch assembly 10. This angular position mechanicalinput to a potentiometer 68 produces an electrical signal received byencoder assembly 22. This electrical signal may be an additional controlsignal from the footswitch 10 to the surgical system 26. This controlsignal may be either linear or non-linear.

To further enhance operator control, a simple on/off switch, well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art, may be included in the heel cupassembly 18 to activate the signal output from the potentiometer 68.Alternatively, such on/off switches could also be used to preventinadvertent activation of the side switches 20. Such an on/off switchmay be a slide switch moving along a linear path within the heel cupassembly 18, as is designated by the arrow marked ‘A’ illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of footswitch 10 having extend thecapabilities. Specifically, motion detector assembly 36, which may bepowered by a cable or internal battery, or self-powered as discussedpreviously with respect to internal power generator 34, withinfootswitch 10 may be worn by an operator. Motion detector assembly 36transmits motion information to the surgical footswitch 10. The surgicalfootswitch 10 receiving the motion information may produce additionalcontrol signal(s) based on the received information. The motion detectorassembly 36 may be tethered and physically connected to footswitch 10 orwirelessly coupled to footswitch 10.

The operator may wear motion detector assembly 36 on any desired bodypart such as the knee, foot, arm, waist, head, fingers, shoulder, etc.Specific embodiments may prefer to wear the motion detector assembly 36on the knee. Motion detector assembly 36 transmits position information,which may take the form of relative position information with respect tofootswitch 10, to the surgical footswitch 10. This information may thenbe passed to a system counsel and may be used as a one, two, or threedimensional linear switch. Motion detector assembly 36, in combinationwith footswitch 10, enhances the control capability up to fourindependent dimensions.

The localization of the motion detector assembly 36 may be performedthrough many distinct methods. For example, acceleration sensors may beincorporated within the motion detector assembly 36 wherein theacceleration of the motion detector assembly 36 may be integrated overtime to provide motion information. Another example may use radiotriangulation through multiple received signals emitted within thesurgical theater. This is a passive means of determining the motioninformation associated with the motion detector assembly 36.Alternatively, a radio frequency emitter within the motion detectorassembly 36 may produce signals that are received by various receiverscoupled to either the surgical footswitch 10 or surgical console 28wherein the footswitch 10 or console 28 is operable to process thisinformation to produce both motion information associated with themotion detector assembly 36 and a control signal resulting from theprocessing of the motion information.

FIG. 6 provides a functional diagram of another embodiment of a surgicalfootswitch 10. Here surgical footswitch 10 includes a mechanical inputdevice, such as pedal 16, an encoder assembly 22 and a wirelessinterface 24. This embodiment further includes two switches thatmechanically couple to the mechanical input device 16, first switch 38and second switch 40. First switch 38 activates a first control signalas pedal 16 orients past a first determined point. When first switch 38is activated, a first control signal is produced that is operable toinitialize, for example, surgical laser 42 within the surgical system26. This first switch 38 may be activated when the pedal 16 is initiallydepressed. The second switch 40 produces a second control signal offsetin time from the first control signal produced by the activation offirst switch 38. For example, second switch 40 may be activated as pedal16 nears the end of its angular motion; i.e., when the pedal 16 is fullydepressed. This second control signal may direct the firing of surgicallaser 42.

The trigger time between the activation of first switch 38 and secondswitch 40 allows the stress on surgical laser 42 to be reduced assurgical laser 42 may not be ramped to power. The trigger time betweenthe activation of first switch 38 and second switch 40 allows surgicallaser 42 to “slowly” warm up before firing. In one embodiment, thetrigger time between the activation of the two switches 38/40 is betweenabout 100 milliseconds and 300 milliseconds. The actual time may dependon the foot speed of the operator. This allows surgical laser 42 to beslowly ramped to power over a span of about 100 milliseconds to about300 milliseconds. This is particularly useful as certain lasers known tothose having skill in art cannot be turned on in less than 50milliseconds. The reduced stress associated with firing surgical laser42 will result in an improved surgical laser 42 performance andreliability. Although footswitch 10 is illustrated in this embodiment asestablishing a wireless communication pathway between the footswitch 10and surgical laser 42, footswitch 10 may also physically couple to thecontrol circuits associated with initializing and firing laser surgical42.

FIG. 7 provides a logic flow diagram illustrating a method ofcontrolling surgical equipment in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. This method involves repositioning a mechanicaldevice within, for example, a footswitch 10 at step 700. Footswitch 10may be powered by an internal power generator operable to translatefootswitch movement into stored energy. This allows footswitch 10 to beself powered and eliminates the need to physically couple footswitch 10to a surgical console 28 or to a power supply. Additionally, this mayeliminate the potential hazards associated with power failures withinfootswitch 10 during a medical procedure. The repositioning of the pedalwithin the surgical footswitch 10 may serve two purposes. First, it mayprovide mechanical energy which may be translated and stored as energyto operate the footswitch. Additionally, control signals may begenerated based on the motion and positioning of the pedal. Additionalswitches or mechanical assemblies within footswitch 10 may also receivemechanical input that can be translated into control signals.

The pedal or mechanical device couples to an encoder at step 702. Thisallows the encoder to generate control signal(s) based on therepositioning of the mechanical device or pedal at step 704. Thefootswitch 10 wirelessly couples to the surgical console at step 706.This wireless coupling facilitates the transfer of data and otherinformation between footswitch 10 and surgical console 28. At step 708,the control signal from footswitch 10 is passed wirelessly to surgicalconsole 28. Surgical console 28, at step 710, is operable to directsurgical equipment coupled to console 28 based on the received controlsignals.

In the embodiments where footswitch 10 comprises an internal powergenerator 34, internal power generator 34 translates footswitch 10movement into stored energy using processes such as an inductive powergeneration, piezoelectric power generation, or other like processesknown to those skilled in the art. This can eliminate potential hazardsassociated with power failures within the footswitch that can result inunexpected control signals that produce potentially hazardous situationsduring surgery that could endanger a patient. A wireless couplingbetween footswitch 10 and surgical console 28 may be monitored wherein acommunication failure may result in a processor or control circuitwithin surgical console 28 directing the surgical equipment to a safecondition in order to avoid potential harm to a patient.

In summary, the present invention provides a surgical footswitch 10 thatcomprises a base, a pedal 16, an encoder assembly 22, a wirelessinterface 24, and an internal power generator 34. The pedal 16 mountsupon the base and can pivot. The encoder assembly 22 couples to pedal16. As pedal 16 pivots, the encoder assembly 22 translates themechanical signal of pedal 16 into a control signal based on the pedal'sposition and/or orientation. The wireless interface 24 couples to theencoder assembly 22 to receive the control signal. The wirelessinterface 24 also couples surgical footswitch 10 to surgical console 28operable to control and direct surgical equipment 32. The wirelessinterface 24 passes the control signal from the encoder assembly 22 tothe surgical console 28, which then directs the surgical equipment 32based on the control signal. This wireless interface 24 eliminates thetangle of wires or tethers common in the prior art and which may be ahazard in the surgical theater. The internal power generator 34translates footswitch 10 movement into stored energy to eliminatepotential failures of the footswitch 10 during a procedure and thusovercome the need to replace batteries within footswitch 10.

Other embodiments of this invention may extend the capability ofsurgical footswitch 10 with a motion detector assembly 36 that may beworn by a user. Motion detector assembly 36 can transmit motioninformation to surgical footswitch 10. The encoder assembly 22 may thengenerate additional control signals based on the received motioninformation.

Finally, other embodiments of this invention can comprise a dual switchsurgical footswitch 10 operable to ramp and fire surgical laser 42.First switch 38 couples to pedal 16 and is activated as pedal 16 orientspast a first predetermined point as pedal 16 is initially depressed.When first switch 38 is activated, a first control signal initializessurgical laser 42 within surgical system 26. A second switch 40 alsooperably couples to pedal 16 and is activated when pedal 16 orients pasta second predetermined point. This second control signal directs thefiring of ramped surgical laser 42. The trigger time between theactivation of first switch 38 and second switch 40 allows stress onsurgical laser 42 to be relieved by allowing surgical laser 42 to beramped to power.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term“substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides anindustry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term. Such anindustry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twentypercent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values,integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise andfall times, and/or thermal noise. As one of average skill in the artwill further appreciate, the term “operably coupled”, as may be usedherein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via anothercomponent, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, theintervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify theinformation of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level,and/or power level. As one of average skill in the art will alsoappreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled toanother element by inference) includes direct and indirect couplingbetween two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled”. As one ofaverage skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “comparesfavorably”, as may be used herein, indicates that a comparison betweentwo or more elements, items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

Although the present invention is described in detail, it should beunderstood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas described by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling surgical equipment,comprising: repositioning a pedal within a surgical footswitch; couplingthe pedal to an encoder, wherein the encoder is operable to generate acontrol signal based on repositioning of the pedal; wirelessly couplinga surgical footswitch to a surgical console; wirelessly providingcontrol signals to the surgical console; directing the surgicalequipment with the surgical console and based on the control signal;mounting a motion detector assembly on a user; communicatively couplingthe motion detector to the surgical footswitch; transmitting motioninformation from the motion detector to the surgical footswitch, whereinthe encoder is operable to generate a second control signal based onmotion information; and directing the surgical equipment with thesurgical console and based on the second control signal.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising powering the surgical footswitch with aninternal power generator operable to translate footswitch movement intostored energy.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the internal powergenerator comprises an inductive power generator or piezoelectricalpower generator.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion detectorassembly and surgical footswitch are wirelessly coupled.
 5. A method offiring a surgical laser with a dual switch surgical footswitch,comprising: pivoting a pedal about a plane associated with a base of thesurgical footswitch; activating a first switch to generate a firstcontrol signal as the pedal orients past a first predetermined point;initializing the surgical laser when the first switch is activated;activating a second switch to generate a second control signal as thepedal orients past a second predetermined point; and firing the surgicallaser when the second switch is activated.
 6. The method of claim 5,further comprising: coupling the pedal to an encoder, wherein theencoder is operable to generate a third control signal based onrepositioning of the pedal; coupling a surgical footswitch to a surgicalconsole; wirelessly providing control signals to the surgical console;and directing the surgical equipment with the surgical console and basedon the control signals.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein a trigger timebetween activation of the first switch and second switch is betweenabout 100 ms and 300 ms.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein initializingthe surgical laser comprises ramping the laser to power.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the surgical console directs the surgical equipmentto a predetermined state when wireless communications between thesurgical footswitch and surgical console are interrupted.